Pride caught up with one of the stars of the Afrobeat scene and Mo’ Hits stable member Dr Sid to talk about the success of Afrobeats, what he looks for in a ‘nurse’ and what meeting Kanye was really like.
Firstly congratulations on the KOKO concert, how was that? What was it like?
It was amazing, I’m not going to lie, but we were really nervous about it! We weren’t too sure if the commotion was enough and because we had an Afro-beats concert the day before, we wondered would people attend both shows, but people actually came out supported and had a great time, and we had a great surprise for them.
Have you ever performed at a venue that size in London?
Not that size. I think in London, the biggest venue I performed at was the Indigo2. I’ve performed there twice, in 2009 at the first KOKO concert, and in 2010 at the KOKO Bar Music Festival.
The concert just highlights the success of Afrobeats in the UK. It really has just taken off here. Everyone’s heard R’n’B, they’ve heard Hip-Hop but alot of my friends –especially the ones who aren’t African are like: What’s this? Who’s this? It’s on the radio, there are club nights and there just seems to be a lot of buzz all of a sudden. Why do you think that is?
I think music worldwide changes, different sounds have different periods, and I think Afrobeats are the next big sound internationally. Everybody seems to be hopping on that train right now. It’s a good thing for African music because music originated in Africa; music is in our souls and in everything we do. Even when we talk, our language has a musical sound, so it’s nice to see the world recognising that.
We’ve got to talk about the special guest that joined you on stage…Mr. West himself. How was that?
It was amazing! We were leaving it as a surprise because Kanye said he had to go to the MTV VMAs. Dbanj signed on to Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music label so Kanye decided to fly out to London to support him, and come to the concert. He originally said he wasn’t going to perform but I guess when he got there, he decided to do a song, it was amazing. I respect him for doing that, because it takes a lot for him to come out of his schedule, literally leave the VMA’s get on a plane, arrive at London, straight from the airport to the venue, no rest or anything to come and do a song. So I have a lot of respect for him for that.
The media plays off on his cockiness, but what is Kanye really like?
Kanye is Kanye, he’s a great man, and he’s very intelligent and creative. I think I’m a bit cocky myself so I don’t know, it’s expected from some. Someone like that you have to have a certain level of cockiness and arrogance. He’s a great, amazing guy and really friendly. That’s the first time I met him because when everyone else met him in New York, I was stuck on tour.
Were you quite nervous to meet him?
Nah, I was just like ‘Hey!’ He was quite cool, and said it was a pleasure to finally meet me, and all of that stuff.
Like you said before Don Jazzy and Dbanj are signed to G.O.O.D. Music. Are there any plans for you to sign to a major label?
Well my focus for now is basically to expand my music to my fan base. I’m not really looking to get signed because Mo’ Hits records is a beautiful label; I have everything I need there. My contract with Mo’ Hits is better than anything I’d probably get with a major label, so I’m happy where I am right now, my CEO is signed to a major label, so I’m good.
We’ve talked about the success of Afro beats, but for people that aren’t so familiar with the genre, what would you say makes it different from your standard R’n’B and Hip-Hop?
I think what Afrobeats has is a rhythm. There’s something about the African drums that just makes you want to move when you hear them. And then there are the African harmonies –the way we sing the songs is a very distinctive style that just makes it different from anything else. Even if you do an R’n’B song in an Afrobeats style, it’s still different.
Are there any artists in the UK that you are feeling right now that you would like to work with?
There are two artists in the UK; I’ve worked with Sway and Dot Star who are both featured on my album. I’ve linked up with Tinie Tempah and we’re probably going to work on a remix to one of the songs on the album. I’m feeling this guy Wretch 32 as well. Those guys really stand out to me. I’m a big fan of Kano too, so I can’t wait for him to bring out something new.
You started off as a dental student, so I see where the ‘Dr.’ comes from. How do you tell African parents you’d rather pursue music?
That conversation got me kicked out of the house! My dad’s an architect, probably one of the biggest in Africa so you’d think he’d be more open to it, but knowing how the industry works and having a son who went through eight years at university and graduated as a dental surgeon….he was quite livid! He wasn’t having it but I told him I had my back up plan and that if the music didn’t work within a year I could always go back, take some exams and get back into being a dentist. Music just took off and I’ve never looked back.
So when did you decide that music was the passion? At what point did the penny drop?
I always wanted to do music. I was baptised in the Catholic church when I was about 11 and they asked me what name I wanted, and I said “Michael.” They thought it was because of the angel Michael but really it was because of Michael Jackson! So I’ve always wanted to be in entertainment. When I had the opportunity, I thought “let’s do this!”
What’s life like at Mo Hits? What’s the process of making records? How does it all work?
Mo’ Hits is a really tight family. Up until last year we all lived together in one big house. The unity is what makes our sound different. Everyone works on each other’s projects –right now we have studio sessions where everyone is in there at once, so everyone can help with different ideas and concepts. It might not just be for my song, it could be for Dbanj’s and so on. We all put in a collective effort and criticise each other’s lyrics and each other’s sound and discuss what’s working and what’s not. By the time it all comes together, we have a song that stands out. One person’s success is everyone’s success.
What is Dbanj like to work with?
Dbanj is a very strong character, he always knows exactly what he wants, and he’s very driven. He believes that as quick as the fame comes is as quick as it can go, so he’s constantly working hard to make sure that he stays relevant. It’s actually very inspiring, but he’s a cool guy and the funniest guy to hang out with. One of his strongest qualities is that he is so humble.
Do you feel any pressure at all to achieve his level of success or do you just take it as it comes?
I’m not really under pressure but it’s something I can achieve at any point in time. I need to just put in the work; the music is there so it’s just putting the work in to get there. Dbanj is always willing to help, the opportunities are there, I’m putting one foot in the door but I just need to make sure my foundation is strong. You don’t want to run up there and end up falling back down. Its one thing to be popular and be on top of your game but it’s another thing to have the strength and the discipline to stay there.
We have to ask you, as every good doctor needs a nurse! Do you currently have one?
Haha! Well I’m unattached; I’m interested in someone but there’s nothing concrete. I am a guy who believes in love and who believes that every man should have a companion. Two heads are definitely better than one. Most African men are very dominant in a relationship but sometimes you find out if you let the woman go ahead and make some decisions you’d be better off. Women are more attuned to certain things and are more sensitive.
What kind of women catches your eye? Who in the public eye do you like the look of?
I’m not one of those guys…but Beyonce does it for me! I’m a guy who believes in connection and compatibility. Like if we can sit and talk and have a great time and we have a mental connection. Physical connections are easy to find, it’s more mental for me.
If you could say anything to the people supporting you, buying your music and blogging positively about the movement, what would you say to them?
It’s a big thank you. There are a lot of people playing our music, but for people to actually listen to my music and like it and be like ‘I like Dr Sid’s music’ and they support me and promote me it’s a very big thank you!
What’s next for Dr Sid?
I’m heading back to the studios in Nigeria, I want to plan some more music and probably shoot a few more videos off the last album, especially some of the songs that weren’t released as singles.
